Bolton fencing pair keep rising up the rankings

TWO Rivington Park Fencing Club stars continue to fly the flag for the Bolton area at national competitions.

Emily Ruaux has just celebrated topping the rankings in the sabre category at under-20 level.

The talented 19-year-old continues to make huge strides in her sport and her recent result could boost her form going into next season.

Ruaux was third at a competition in Birmingham, while fellow club member Patrick Jennings finished third at the same event and club bosses say it shows the progress their members are making under new club coach and Olympic fencer Dmitri Lapkes. Club coach and Emily’s dad Michael Ruaux said: “We are really pleased with the progress of our fencers.

“Birmingham was a really important event at the end of the season but the senior rankings keep rolling on.

“There was a real breakthrough for Patrick as he moved up 10 places to 17th in men’s fencing.

“Emily’s performance moved her up in the GB ranking to fourth.

“That was enough to go away with the senior GB team to Chicago last week.

“She won one of her poules (pool) and it was a great experience for her to take forward into next year.

“She is hoping it will be perfect to kick on for a big season.”

The club had also reason to celebrate at the British Youth Championships. Ruaux added: “We were really pleased with Gabriel Dunn finishing third in the U12s category and while some of our other fencers did not get medals they all made it through to the latter stages of the tournament. “They were disappointed not to win silverware but it is a learning curve for them under Dmitri. The important thing is they are developing their technique and take what they do in training into real match situations. “They have got to realise about new methods and losing and developing instead reverting back to bad habits just to get a medal.”